[MMHA-E-Bulletin] the latest Synergy - Edition 2, 2008 - Comorbidity I

[Multicultural Mental Health Australia]

Welcome to the 2nd Edition of Synergy for 2008.

This free publication aims to keep you up-to-date with the latest news and
information relating to the mental health and wellbeing of Australians
from culturally diverse backgrounds.

This edition, titled Comorbidity I, is dedicated to our colleague, Dr
Steven Klimidis from the Victorian Transcultural Psychiatry Unit and the
Centre for International Mental Health. Dr Klimidis’ sudden and premature
death is still being mourned by many people around the world. He was
regarded as a pioneer in transcultural psychiatry in Australia and we
commemorate his tireless work in this field.

Comorbidity I is the first in a two-part series on comorbidity and mental
illness. This first edition focuses on mental illness and alcohol/drug
abuse in CALD communities, while the second will explore issues
surrounding mental illness and chronic conditions such as cancer, obesity
and diabetes.

It was a real challenge sourcing appropriate articles to publish in this
edition as many authors either specialised in mental health or
drugs/alcohol. Very few were able to discuss the relationship between the
two and its impact on CALD communities.

Many people from the sector complained about how mental health services
are restricted to only managing mental illnesses and not comorbidity.
Similarily alcohol and drug services (AOD) also fail to accommodate
someone presenting with a mental illness who is also using. This often
sees clients with comorbidity swing between services and eventually fall
out of the system.

This edition aims to tackle those concerns and highlight a series of
programs across the country that are meeting the needs of those living
with a comorbidity from CALD backgrounds.

If you wish to contribute to the next edition please contact MMHA at
admin at mmha.org.au or call 02 9840 3333.

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this edition available in PDF format here:

http://www.mmha.org.au/mmha-products/synergy/magazineedition.2008-10-07.4545881773

If you wish to receive a hardcopy of this edition or past editions please 
email your postal details to admin at mmha.org.au

Multicultural Mental Health Australia
Locked Bag 7118
Parramatta BC  2150

Ph:  02 9840 3333
Fax: 02 9840 3388

Email: admin at mmha.org.au
Web:  www.mmha.org.au